What an amazing kickoff we had for FIERCE! I had so many women coming up to me saying how great the event was, how inspiring I am (blush) and how great the group is!
I'm truly looking forward to building it into an EMPIRE!! I'm also excited at the thought of connecting with so many like-minded women!!
I also launched the FIERCE Woman of the Year award and everyone was more than a little surprised at the rules: You must nominate yourself!!
Strange, I know, but I don't follow the rules!! :D
Electric Rodeo sure put on one helluva feast for us and the champagne and orange juice was such a wonderful treat!!
Looking forward to more FIERCE events!!
The info will be on the website soon. As well as the details for the Pajama Party... gimme a break, a girl's gotta sleep sometime!!!
t.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
dear diary, I am FIERCE
Last night, I went to see Arlene Dickinson speak. She is the CEO of Venture Communications Inc. and a panel judge on the Dragons Den.
She is also FIERCE but she doesn't know it!! (Females Inspiring Each other in a Real Community of Empowerment.... the group I'm starting... I'll get to that later)
She spoke about being true to yourself and knowing that if you are being honest about who you are and what you are doing, it is more important than anything else you can offer someone.
I needed to hear what she said last night because of all of the other bullshit that is being - or has been - said about the magazine, and now my blog.
So I listened carefully when she started talking about taking on a leadership role, seeing the potential instead of the problem, and waking up every day with a purpose. Now, I thought about this a LOT as I drove home and wondered how I could see all of these negative comments as potential.
Let's recap, shall we?
Point one: My blog is "unpolished and unprofessional."
Well, yes, yes it is, I guess if you like to follow the rules but as my dear friend Maria Callas said, "Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay, I make the goddamn rules."
Perhaps my content and the language I use aren't the norm in small-town publishing but that's OK. Rules are made to be broken and I have built a community of MOM Magazine readers who happen to like what I do.
Point two: I'm using the wrong fonts and the design is all wrong.
OK, so AMPA and the panel of industry "experts" didn't really care for the magazine but I look back at our first issue - which I would NEVER have submitted and it was actually designed by someone in the industry - and I am so proud of where we are now! We will continue to develop and grow, using the wrong fonts.
Uhm I'm tired of defending what I do and how I do it, so let this be the last post on that. If you continue to have issues with it, check out our What the FAQ!? section on the website. That should address some, if not all of your concerns.
After I let go of some of these problems, I had to look at the potential. Now, I always see room for growth and hope to evolve the magazine with each issue. I am keeping the pinup look - even though a design "expert" referred to it as a Sunshine Girl look. I have researched some different typefaces and even asked a dear friend of mine for some tips. She happens to be the art director for Consumer Reports magazine in New York, so I am sure she will provide some ways to clean up the design without talking down to me.
And last, but not least, I know the magazine has touched lives and made a difference to some women. That is what I am trying to do, and after hearing Arlene speak about taking a leadership role I know I am on the right path.
When I wake up every day, I have multiple purposes (insert sex joke here!!). LOL
My purpose includes connecting with women and telling YOUR stories. My purpose includes being the best mom I can be to Oz and Lola. My purpose includes empowering women. My purpose includes being myself and not compromising what I believe in.
My purpose is FIERCE.
Now, speaking of FIERCE. The kickoff is Sunday and I am frantically trying to finalize some things. So far I surpassed the number of tickets I expected to sell, so that makes me happy!
I only hope it all comes together and that I can pull everything off in time for the big day!!
Have an extremly productive day and get on your path to success!!
t.
She is also FIERCE but she doesn't know it!! (Females Inspiring Each other in a Real Community of Empowerment.... the group I'm starting... I'll get to that later)
She spoke about being true to yourself and knowing that if you are being honest about who you are and what you are doing, it is more important than anything else you can offer someone.
I needed to hear what she said last night because of all of the other bullshit that is being - or has been - said about the magazine, and now my blog.
So I listened carefully when she started talking about taking on a leadership role, seeing the potential instead of the problem, and waking up every day with a purpose. Now, I thought about this a LOT as I drove home and wondered how I could see all of these negative comments as potential.
Let's recap, shall we?
Point one: My blog is "unpolished and unprofessional."
Well, yes, yes it is, I guess if you like to follow the rules but as my dear friend Maria Callas said, "Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay, I make the goddamn rules."
Perhaps my content and the language I use aren't the norm in small-town publishing but that's OK. Rules are made to be broken and I have built a community of MOM Magazine readers who happen to like what I do.
Point two: I'm using the wrong fonts and the design is all wrong.
OK, so AMPA and the panel of industry "experts" didn't really care for the magazine but I look back at our first issue - which I would NEVER have submitted and it was actually designed by someone in the industry - and I am so proud of where we are now! We will continue to develop and grow, using the wrong fonts.
Uhm I'm tired of defending what I do and how I do it, so let this be the last post on that. If you continue to have issues with it, check out our What the FAQ!? section on the website. That should address some, if not all of your concerns.
After I let go of some of these problems, I had to look at the potential. Now, I always see room for growth and hope to evolve the magazine with each issue. I am keeping the pinup look - even though a design "expert" referred to it as a Sunshine Girl look. I have researched some different typefaces and even asked a dear friend of mine for some tips. She happens to be the art director for Consumer Reports magazine in New York, so I am sure she will provide some ways to clean up the design without talking down to me.
And last, but not least, I know the magazine has touched lives and made a difference to some women. That is what I am trying to do, and after hearing Arlene speak about taking a leadership role I know I am on the right path.
When I wake up every day, I have multiple purposes (insert sex joke here!!). LOL
My purpose includes connecting with women and telling YOUR stories. My purpose includes being the best mom I can be to Oz and Lola. My purpose includes empowering women. My purpose includes being myself and not compromising what I believe in.
My purpose is FIERCE.
Now, speaking of FIERCE. The kickoff is Sunday and I am frantically trying to finalize some things. So far I surpassed the number of tickets I expected to sell, so that makes me happy!
I only hope it all comes together and that I can pull everything off in time for the big day!!
Have an extremly productive day and get on your path to success!!
t.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dear diary, you don't say?
People don't like to read things that offend them yet they continue to do so, all the while BITCHING about such offensive things.
Ahem.
Let me clear the air for those of you - and you know who you are - just exactly what it is that MOM Magazine is all about:
Ahem.
Let me clear the air for those of you - and you know who you are - just exactly what it is that MOM Magazine is all about:
REALITY
Now, I know some of you - and you know who you are - don't like what I put in MOM Magazine. And, from the grapevine, I've heard you don't like what I put in my blog.
Well, guess what? I'm not changing my content. Not in the magazine and sure as hell not on my blog.
Does it make me "unprofessional?" Perhaps in some people's eyes because I don't play the proper games or speak the way you "think" is the appropriate way to speak but I have never hid what I do with this magazine.
I didn't lie to you and say, "Oh goodness, golly, I have a really cutesy magazine full of fuzzy, wuzzy warm feelings and hugs."
No. From the START I was open about the content, the language and the imagery.
So I will say it ONE MORE TIME. If you do not like it, do not read it.
Or do you have nothing better to do than complain about or criticize what I do? Does that somehow fulfill a void in your life? If so, it sucks to be you.
Not everyone likes us, I get that but I am also over it. You should be too.
And one more thing. Have the balls - and, yes, by balls I mean TESTICLES - to say it to me personally instead of whispering it behind my back. I can take it, really. You won't hurt my feelings.
Now, in the words of Big Daddy.... don't you have laundry to do?
Peace out.
t.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
dear diary, there's a noose at the end of my rope
So, the AMPA conference has come and gone, and with it is my arrogance, self-confidence and sense of accomplishment.
The industry experts didn't like the fonts we use, the MOM logo, the photography, the covers, the layouts... not a friggin thing.
It's frustrating to me and, yes, I threw myself a little pity party for one.
One design expert suggested - strongly - that I change the logo. "Whisper," she said. "Don't shout."
I wanted to shout, "WTF do you know!" but thought that might be inappropriate seeing as she is an "expert" and all.
There were multiple comments in regards to typeface, leading, kerning, headlines, decks, bylines, and cover fonts and how I was bastardinzing the industry by not following the "rules."
Well, after taking a long, hard, critical look at where we've been and where we are now, here's what I have to say to the so-called "experts."
"Shove your opinions up your ass, right along with the stick you've got up there!"
I know the magazine is far from perfect and will probably never meet the standards set by such polished and poised magazines as The New Yorker or Rolling Stone but I stand proudly behind everything we've done and everything we've accomplished. No one handed me a rule book at the beginning of this journey and like so much other advice I will take from it what I need and promptly throw the rest away.
No one knows MOM better than I do. No one can take more credit for the success of the magazine than I can just like no one can take more responsibility for the mistakes that we make than I can.
MOM Magazine - in spite of the naysayers and critics - still ROCKS!
And if you don't like it, then quit picking it up just so you can bitch about it.
As always....
t.
The industry experts didn't like the fonts we use, the MOM logo, the photography, the covers, the layouts... not a friggin thing.
It's frustrating to me and, yes, I threw myself a little pity party for one.
One design expert suggested - strongly - that I change the logo. "Whisper," she said. "Don't shout."
I wanted to shout, "WTF do you know!" but thought that might be inappropriate seeing as she is an "expert" and all.
There were multiple comments in regards to typeface, leading, kerning, headlines, decks, bylines, and cover fonts and how I was bastardinzing the industry by not following the "rules."
Well, after taking a long, hard, critical look at where we've been and where we are now, here's what I have to say to the so-called "experts."
"Shove your opinions up your ass, right along with the stick you've got up there!"
I know the magazine is far from perfect and will probably never meet the standards set by such polished and poised magazines as The New Yorker or Rolling Stone but I stand proudly behind everything we've done and everything we've accomplished. No one handed me a rule book at the beginning of this journey and like so much other advice I will take from it what I need and promptly throw the rest away.
No one knows MOM better than I do. No one can take more credit for the success of the magazine than I can just like no one can take more responsibility for the mistakes that we make than I can.
MOM Magazine - in spite of the naysayers and critics - still ROCKS!
And if you don't like it, then quit picking it up just so you can bitch about it.
As always....
t.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Dear Diary, what a day!
I'm off to Calgary tomorrow for the AMPA conference and am hoping to just chill and relax for a couple of days but I know better.
I know I will be spending any "alone time" planning the next issue and prepping for all of the cool things we have coming up.
For example, one of the really great things we're doing is BREAKING THE MOMMY RULES. We will select five of our MOM readers - via our facebook group - to go for a complete hair, makeup and style makeover!! We want to get you out of your comfort zone and into a NEW fashion that says, "I'm a HAWT MAMA!!"
There will be a method to our madness for this feature. We want you to write on the wall different reasons why you need to break out of your comfort zone. Get into discussions, talk about your hair and when the last time it was that you had is styled or changed the colour. Talk about your makeup and where you buy it. Talk about your clothes ...
This isn't meant to start any catfights and those who do start them will be automatically disqualified.
We just want to hear your thoughts on your image and how you see yourself. You could be one of FIVE lucky moms to be in this FABULOUS feature!!
Anyway, aside from the features, I have had to deal with kids, finding a new dayhome for Lola, figuring out a way to deal with never -and I mean NEVER - seeing Big Daddy... life has been tough these last couple of months and March, especially with all of the weekends being tied up. Oh well, you don't want to read this anyway... so here's some GOOD news!
The mag should be delivered by Friday which MEANS distribution of the new issue!
As always, I look forward to your feedback - good or bad.
I'm going to drink wine. And turn off my blackberry. Maybe!!
t.
I know I will be spending any "alone time" planning the next issue and prepping for all of the cool things we have coming up.
For example, one of the really great things we're doing is BREAKING THE MOMMY RULES. We will select five of our MOM readers - via our facebook group - to go for a complete hair, makeup and style makeover!! We want to get you out of your comfort zone and into a NEW fashion that says, "I'm a HAWT MAMA!!"
There will be a method to our madness for this feature. We want you to write on the wall different reasons why you need to break out of your comfort zone. Get into discussions, talk about your hair and when the last time it was that you had is styled or changed the colour. Talk about your makeup and where you buy it. Talk about your clothes ...
This isn't meant to start any catfights and those who do start them will be automatically disqualified.
We just want to hear your thoughts on your image and how you see yourself. You could be one of FIVE lucky moms to be in this FABULOUS feature!!
Anyway, aside from the features, I have had to deal with kids, finding a new dayhome for Lola, figuring out a way to deal with never -and I mean NEVER - seeing Big Daddy... life has been tough these last couple of months and March, especially with all of the weekends being tied up. Oh well, you don't want to read this anyway... so here's some GOOD news!
The mag should be delivered by Friday which MEANS distribution of the new issue!
As always, I look forward to your feedback - good or bad.
I'm going to drink wine. And turn off my blackberry. Maybe!!
t.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Dear Diary... I'm on Twitter
I guess I don't have enough to do... I added Twitter to my marketing plan of taking over the world with MOM magazine.
Plus, we've got some big things going on that I plan on revealing soon enough...
Anyway, I'm hoping Tweets will help me stay connected to the MOM Magazine community a little more often than I have been doing with the Blahg.
If you haven't done so, try and make plans to join us in Vegas April 29-May 3 for Big Daddy's Birthday Bash.
Golf at the Rio Secco Golf Club Friday, May 1. Tee Time is 8 a.m. Package includes Green Fees, catr, club rentals, breakfast, transportation and a souvenier Big Daddy Golf Shirt. The Golf package is only $325!!
Contact me directly to book it. tamara@mommagazine.ca
March has been a ridiculous month so far... I'm off to Calgary to partake in the Alberta Magazine Publisher's Association conference, in hopes of being recognized as the most AWESOME magazine in the land! If not, I'll settle for a couple o' glasses of second-rate wine and some useful information.
Our next issue is IMPORTANT!!
Be sure to send us stories of the men in your life who have made a difference. These MUST be limited to 150 words MAX. You can email them directly to me. As always, I look forward reading them.
Chat with you soon!!
t.
Plus, we've got some big things going on that I plan on revealing soon enough...
Anyway, I'm hoping Tweets will help me stay connected to the MOM Magazine community a little more often than I have been doing with the Blahg.
If you haven't done so, try and make plans to join us in Vegas April 29-May 3 for Big Daddy's Birthday Bash.
Golf at the Rio Secco Golf Club Friday, May 1. Tee Time is 8 a.m. Package includes Green Fees, catr, club rentals, breakfast, transportation and a souvenier Big Daddy Golf Shirt. The Golf package is only $325!!
Contact me directly to book it. tamara@mommagazine.ca
March has been a ridiculous month so far... I'm off to Calgary to partake in the Alberta Magazine Publisher's Association conference, in hopes of being recognized as the most AWESOME magazine in the land! If not, I'll settle for a couple o' glasses of second-rate wine and some useful information.
Our next issue is IMPORTANT!!
Be sure to send us stories of the men in your life who have made a difference. These MUST be limited to 150 words MAX. You can email them directly to me. As always, I look forward reading them.
Chat with you soon!!
t.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The mag is at the printers!
I know, I'm late. How do you think I FEEL?? Being late is no fun.
I had to be a mom most of Jan/Feb due to illnesses in our household and the magazine got put on the backburner. I'm hoping you understand but if not, well, too bad.
It is a FABULOUS issue with some amazing stories of women who have beaten some serious odds. Lots of strength in this issue!!
Enjoy. And if you haven't noticed, I added a gadget to my blahg which allows you to follow more regularly. I'm actually surprised anyone reads this crap.
But if you do, I appreciate the support!!
Cheers!
t.
I had to be a mom most of Jan/Feb due to illnesses in our household and the magazine got put on the backburner. I'm hoping you understand but if not, well, too bad.
It is a FABULOUS issue with some amazing stories of women who have beaten some serious odds. Lots of strength in this issue!!
Enjoy. And if you haven't noticed, I added a gadget to my blahg which allows you to follow more regularly. I'm actually surprised anyone reads this crap.
But if you do, I appreciate the support!!
Cheers!
t.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The verdict we've all been waiting for
It has taken some time for me to articulate my anger at the verdict in the trial of Vince Li and here's what I came up with:
Nothing.
There is nothing that can be said that would be any different that what the general consensus is.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Seriously, it's been a month already since I last posted? Gawd. Where is time going?!
Yeh, uh, about that last blawg.. heheh. Oh well, just keep swimming I always say! Well, Dory from Finding Nemo said it first but it's a catchy little phrase and I have adopted it!
So, yah. This is awkward. It's 4 a.m. and I'm updating the website because, well, because it needs to be done and I don't have time to do it later today.
I was at the Health and Wellness show this past weekend, not for MOM Magazine but to support some of the advertisers - and friends - who had booths. It was a big show, I was actually surprised at how many booths were there! Of course, there were a few MOM mags kickin' around because I like to get our mag out to the masses so I am hoping that we expanded our growing community a little more.
We have a few big things coming up with the magazine so I want to let you in on them before they go in the magazine!
International Women's Day Champagne Lunch
March 8 at the Devon Golf Course
12-3 pm
Master Cpl. Paul Franklin will be speaking.
Tickets are $20 and you can contact me (tamara@mommagazine.ca) directly if you are interested
FIERCE kick off is March 29
This is a champagne brunch that will be the introduction of the FIERCE group. I am hoping we get as many business women involved in this and make it an AMAZING networking business and wellness group. I have BIG plans!!! Tradeshow tables are sold out but you can still book for the next event in April. Contact me for tickets (tamara@mommagazine.ca) or check us out on Facebook and join the group.
Big Daddy's Birthday Bash in Vegas is April 30-May 3. Basically, Big Daddy and I are going to Vegas and I thought it would be a cool couples trip with only one planned event - GOLF! Check it out on the website under MOMs Time Out events. Plus, it's VEGAS BABY!!! Gotta love Sin City!
MOMs Day Before event
We're teaming up with Gingerlily Photography and Arbonne to have a PAJAMA PARTY of our own!
May 9
Marriot at the River Cree Resort
It will be the ultimate Girl's Night in! Hair & Makeup, Boudoir Sessions with Gingerlily Photography, Passion Party and sooo much more! Space will be limited to 10-12 MOMs. Once the details are finalized, I will send out an e-blast letting everyone know the cost. It will be first come, first served.
I think that's it for now... My March is shaping up to be jam-PACKED with events - I'm off to the Alberta Magazine Publisher's Association conference March 19-21 and am looking forward to learning some new and exciting ways to keep improving MOM Magazine!!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you...
Now, I must make coffee!!
t.
Yeh, uh, about that last blawg.. heheh. Oh well, just keep swimming I always say! Well, Dory from Finding Nemo said it first but it's a catchy little phrase and I have adopted it!
So, yah. This is awkward. It's 4 a.m. and I'm updating the website because, well, because it needs to be done and I don't have time to do it later today.
I was at the Health and Wellness show this past weekend, not for MOM Magazine but to support some of the advertisers - and friends - who had booths. It was a big show, I was actually surprised at how many booths were there! Of course, there were a few MOM mags kickin' around because I like to get our mag out to the masses so I am hoping that we expanded our growing community a little more.
We have a few big things coming up with the magazine so I want to let you in on them before they go in the magazine!
International Women's Day Champagne Lunch
March 8 at the Devon Golf Course
12-3 pm
Master Cpl. Paul Franklin will be speaking.
Tickets are $20 and you can contact me (tamara@mommagazine.ca) directly if you are interested
FIERCE kick off is March 29
This is a champagne brunch that will be the introduction of the FIERCE group. I am hoping we get as many business women involved in this and make it an AMAZING networking business and wellness group. I have BIG plans!!! Tradeshow tables are sold out but you can still book for the next event in April. Contact me for tickets (tamara@mommagazine.ca) or check us out on Facebook and join the group.
Big Daddy's Birthday Bash in Vegas is April 30-May 3. Basically, Big Daddy and I are going to Vegas and I thought it would be a cool couples trip with only one planned event - GOLF! Check it out on the website under MOMs Time Out events. Plus, it's VEGAS BABY!!! Gotta love Sin City!
MOMs Day Before event
We're teaming up with Gingerlily Photography and Arbonne to have a PAJAMA PARTY of our own!
May 9
Marriot at the River Cree Resort
It will be the ultimate Girl's Night in! Hair & Makeup, Boudoir Sessions with Gingerlily Photography, Passion Party and sooo much more! Space will be limited to 10-12 MOMs. Once the details are finalized, I will send out an e-blast letting everyone know the cost. It will be first come, first served.
I think that's it for now... My March is shaping up to be jam-PACKED with events - I'm off to the Alberta Magazine Publisher's Association conference March 19-21 and am looking forward to learning some new and exciting ways to keep improving MOM Magazine!!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you...
Now, I must make coffee!!
t.
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